Starting January 1, Ottawa residents can now add coffee cups, deodorant containers, toothpaste tubes, ice cream tubs, black plastic containers, and frozen juice containers to their blue bins for recycling. These changes are part of a province-wide shift in recycling systems in Ontario, bringing alterations to the city’s recycling program.
One significant adjustment is the switch in the entity responsible for collecting recyclables from blue and black bins in Ottawa. Miller Waste Systems, under contract with Circular Materials, appointed by the Ontario government, will now handle the collection process. This change may lead to variations in collection schedules compared to what residents were accustomed to under the City of Ottawa.
Allen Langdon, CEO of Circular Materials, assured residents that they can contact Miller Waste Systems for any issues and escalate concerns to Circular Materials if needed. Contact details for both organizations are available for reference.
Despite the transition, some critics express doubts about diverting services away from the city, emphasizing the importance of local accountability and innovation. Circular Materials, backed by major Canadian corporations like Coca-Cola Canada, McDonald’s, and Loblaw Companies Limited, now oversees the collection process in Ottawa.
Under the new system, companies will report their packaging supply to Circular Materials annually, paying fees based on the volume and types of packaging supplied. This approach incentivizes companies to reduce packaging to lower associated fees and support the blue box program more efficiently.
Although recycling collection methods have changed, the City of Ottawa remains responsible for picking up recyclables from public spaces and municipal buildings. City services for garbage and organics management continue as usual. Schools and newer multi-residential buildings with six or more units constructed after January 1, 2031, are not yet eligible to participate in the provincial recycling program.
Residents are advised to continue using their existing blue and black bins, with the option to request a replacement from Miller Waste Systems at no additional cost. Bins should still be placed at the curb by 7 a.m. on collection days as per the usual practice.
